Portable bowling alley



July 12, 1966 D. B. cEPLUcH 3,260,524

PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 a2 4 fem f1 Ulu UD fg@ INVENTOR.

DALE BCEPLUCH PMM SdmmK/hw July 12, 1966 D. B. cPLucn-l 3,260,524

PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

DALE B.CEPLUCH ymqusclabm/CM July 12, 1966 D. B. cx-:PLucH 3,260,524

PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NVENTOR.

DALE BCEPLUCH @www Som/www July 12, 1966 Filed Aug. 29, 1965 D. B. CEPLUCH PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR DA LEBCEPLUCH July 12, 1966 D. B. cEPLUcH 3,260,524

PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY Filed Aug. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 y' Q V 34 35 7 Ui f U \\20a INVENTOR.

ALE BCEPLUCH (P11/1M@ ed SJW/KMS United States Patent O 3,260,524 PORTABLE BOWLHNG ALLEY Dale B. Ceplueh, 955 Millville Ave., Hamilton, Ohio Filed Aug. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 305,462 6 Claims. (Cl. 273-51) This invention relates to a new article of manufacture for use in the sport of bowling and, in particular, relates to a portable bowling alley.

An object of this invention is to provide for a readily assembled and disassembled bowling alley using standard bowling balls and pins.

Another object of this invention is to provide for an outdoor bowling alley for use on any conveniently located level ground.

A further object of this invention is to provide for a facile durable construction of a lightweight portable bowling alley which .may be easily assembled, disassembled, and removable from one location to another.

A further object of this invention is to provide for the use of relatively light-weight components required to set up a portable bowling alley. It is another object of the invention to provide for a permanent foundation for a portable bowling alley.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which reference characters refer to like characters in the description, and in which drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bowling alley comprising the invention, part of the alley being omitted because of duplication of what is shown;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of supporting means for the alley;

FIG. 3 is a plan View of a unit of the alley which is secured to its adjacent units, the view being broken away to show component parts thereof;

FIG. 4 is an elevational View taken on line 4 4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken on line 5-5 of FIG, 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. l of the drawing, reference character 10 refers to an assembled portable bowling alley comprising a plurality of identically constructed units 11 secured together in longitudinal alignment with one another, and levelly mounted upon a plurality of supporting means 12. Units 11 are preferably equally dimensioned and total seven, and when secured together have not only a length of a standard bowling Ialley but an approaching unit included as well, on which a bowler moves to provide motion to a bowling ball thrown onto bowling alley 10 in a customary manner associated with the sport of bowling.

Each unit 11 comprises a series of laminated wooden strips 14, one of which is shown in cross-se-ction in FIG. 7. A laminated strip 14 is one of a suflicient number of strips having equal widths which are attached together to form a continuous and harmonious surface alley width along which a ball will roll. Each strip 14, with the exception of a pair of strips each of which has one edge constituting a lateral boundary of the alley, preferably provides for diagonally opposed, rectangular cutout portions or lrecesses 15, 16 formed along the respective lengths of the longitudinal edges thereof, thereby resulting in correspondingly diagonally `opposed rectangular sills or ledges 17, 18, respectively contiguous to recesses 15, 16. A sill 17 of a strip 14 is adapted to register in yrecess 16 of an adjacent strip 14 .and to abut a Mice ledge 18 of such strip when both strips `are laid together, while ledge 18 is adapted to register in recess 15 of an oppositely positioned adjacent strip 14 and abuts sill 17 of such `adjacent strip. A series of such strips laid together in this preferred manner form the alley surface, as shown in FIGS. l and 4.

Sills or ledges 17, 18 are eliminated from each of the laminated strips 14 which bound the left and right margins of bowling alley 10, in order to provide for a continuous under-surface width of alley 10 to which a plurality of elements 20, hereinafter described, is attached as well as providing for a full width rolling surface for a bowling ball. A rounded molding 19, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, is preferably mounted and secured in a suitable rmanner, such as by finishing nails, glue, etc., to the side edges of each of boundary strips 14a so that chipping of the lalley surface is prevented should a ball break downwardly or be discharged over one of such edges as well as protecting the lalley from swerving movement of a ball along gutter means (hereinafter described) paralleling the alley.

It should be understood that although seven boards, each comprising laminated strips of wood, `are illustrated in the drawing for each unit 11, the invention is not limited to that number of boards of wood nor to a particular kind of wood or other alley flooring, as it is well known in the art to use strips of flooring of varying width should this be deemed desirable, and which may be of various lengths positioned at various locations along the length of a unit. Since each of units 11 is the largest component of the portable alley, the advantage of a lightweight wood or other ooring should be kept in mind in determining the exact configuration of each strip, as well as concern for the features of durability towards weather conditions, and permanency of the type of wood with respect to regular use thereon and refinishing thereof.

To attach together in a rigid plane the required number of laminated strips 14 and 14a, a plurality, preferably four for each unit 11, of anged L-shaped members 20 are mounted `at equally spaced parallel intervals to and transversely upon or across the underside of such strips (FIG. 1), each member extending substantially to each lateral boundary of the alley. Each of members 20 is provided with suitably spaced apertures in its one flange 21 ush to such underside and through which wooden screws -or other suitable means 22 (FIG. 3) are inserted to be threaded into the laminated strips 14, 14a. Preferably two screws 22 are threaded to each strips 14, 14a. It should be noted that particular L-shaped members 20a, 20h (FIGS. 2, 3) for each unit 11 are attached across strips 14, 14a in close proximity to, and not at, the ends of each such unit 11.

Means to align and secure together each unit 111 to its adjacent unit or units are provided `for the bowling alley. As shown in FIG. 6, a channel spacing 27 is provided between the two depending sides 28, 29 of flanged s'tringer 20b mounted across one unit 11 and flanged Stringer 20a mounted across .an adjacent unit 11, respectively, resulting lfrom the contiguous attachment of the stringers respective units. Mounted centrally of each of stringers 20-b, 20u is a cylindrical hollow sleeve 31, 32, respectively, each sleeve having a peripheral boss 34, 35, respectively, on one of its ends. Bosses 34, 35 Iface each other after their respective sleeves 31, -32 are inserted in central apertures 36, 37, respectively, mounted in `the depending sides 28, 29 otf their corresponding stringers 2Gb, 20u. A secured rod 38 is provided across t-he bore of sleeve 3d, .at its end opposite boss l34, to prevent an aligning pin 40 from slipping through sleeve 31. To align abutting units 11, pin 40= is inserted in. sleeve 321 against rod 38, after which an adjacent unit l1-1 mounting sleeve 32 on Stringer 20a is set in 4'aligned and contiguous end-to-end relationship with the unit 11 carrying sleeve 3x1 by slipping sleeve 32 onto the portion of pin 40 exposed out of sleeve 31.

The alignment olf adjacent units 11 conditions such units to be secured together. As has been described and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, stringers 2Gb, 20a are suitably spaced rom each other at t-he adjacent ends of abutting units 11 so that a plurality of bolt-and-nut cornbinations 42 may be respectively inserted in a plurality of apertures 43, prefera-bly an yaperture disposed to each side of aligning pin 401, disposed along the respective lengths of the vertically depending sides 28, 29 of stringers Zlib, 20a. A small tilting play of one unit 11 to its contiguous unit 1-1 is preferably provided by means of rotation of a unit 11 on pin 40- and by the size of apertures 43 so that a tight flush joinder of the surfaces of units 11 may be obtained during the tightening of such bolt-and-nut combinations 42.

Provided for each unit 11 are a plurality of supporting means 12 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Each means i12 comprises an L-shaped cinder or concrete block 46 having a leg 47 disposed in a horizontal plane and extending transversely away from alley 10, and a base 48 extending vertically upward and upon which a unit 11 is mounted. The end of the vbase 48 of each block engages side 21 of a stringer 20a or 20b, as the case may be, to which strips 14 are bolted. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the end of abse 48 may be dished out or grooved for the admission of a screw 22 for the purpose of providing registry of side 21 of flange 20a or 20h with base 48.

As shown in FIGS. l and 2, a pair of opposed supporting means 12 is pro-vided for each end of a unit '11. With abutting units '11 in alignment with each other, two of such means 12a, 12b are a-lso disposed adjacent each other (FIG. 2) along the same lateral side of alley 10', each supporting ya separate unit 111. Supports 12a, 12b are spaced sufficiently `apart from each other in order that their respective bases register with a corresponding stringer 20a or 20b on unit 1r1, as shown in FIG. 2.

Each supporting means 12 may serve as a permanent foundation for portable units 11, and, as shown in FIG. 4, may be permanently imbedded below ground frost line.

Gutter means 50 for a bowling ball is provided along one longitudinal side of bowling alley in parallel relationship thereto, and comprises (-FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4) a pair of horizontal-ly disposed rails or rods 51, 52` extending the length of alley 10 -and suliiciently spaced with respect to each other so that a bowling `ball (in phantom lines in FIG. 4) may roll thereon. Each of rails 511, 52 may be composed o-f a plurality of lengths of pipes, rods, tubing, or the like, the effective length of each being equivalent to that of a unit '11. Each of rails 51, 52 is supported in one of a pair of spaced short V-shaped members 54, 55, respectively, which straddle legs 57, 58 of a U-shaped channel member 60 anchored to the horizontally disposed leg 47 of a block 46 by means of an anchor bolt-and-nut combination 61 insertable and threaded through web 62 of channel member 60 and into an expansion cylinder 63 suitably mounted in leg 47. Each of V-shaped members l54, 55 is welded or otherwise mounted on or in slots (no-t shown) provided in upstanding legs 57, 58. Leg 47 of cinder block 46, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is of a thickness (measured perpendicular to ground) and width (measured parallel to bowling alley 10i) and length (to provide for the lateral dimensions of gutter'means 50) which, when set into the ground, will provide for a sturdy, stationary support `for gutter means 50 while b'ase 48 of block 46 is of such like dimensions to support t-he weight of units 141 and the aligning and securing means, thereby preventing or eliminating shifting of bowling alley 10 when in use.

The quantity of channel members 60 and V-shaped members 54, 55 necessary lfor adequate 4s-upport of rails 51, 52 is not necessarily the same number required of supporting means 12. It will be observed yfrom FIGS.

4 l and 2 that only one supporting means 12 adjacent the juncture of two units 11 and along one of t-he lateral boundaries of alley 10, carries the necessary supporting elements for the gutter means for a bowling ball as well as carrying additional structure for a guide means tor a ball on such gutter means, as hereinafter described.

Guide means is provided along each longitudinal side of alley 10 (FIG. 1), for t-he purpose of preventing a bowling yball from going astray from means 50 as it proceeds downwardly along the alley, as well as preventing ya misdirected ball roll-ing down the alley from being discharged from the surface of and propelled away from the alley. In this latter instance, gutter means 50 and the guide means function in the manner that a gutter groove conventionally associated with an indoor bowling alley functions. The guide means comprises a horizontally arranged guardrail 65 horizontally disposed preferably at a height which is substantially in the same level plane as molding strip 19 and suitably spaced therefrom to afford access by the size of a Ibowling ball to and passage along the pair of rails 51, 52. Guardrail 65 is rigidly mounted to legs 66, 67 of each of a plurality of vertically arranged U-shaped members 68 stationed. along the length of alley 10 on each side thereof (FIGS. l, 2). Rail 65, or its component sections, is secured to channel member 68 by means of a countersunk Ibolt 69a extending through guardrail 65 and projecting outwardly of the webbing of member 68 and on which projection a nut 69b is securely tightened. With the guide means thus mounted, displacement of a bowling ball from its rolling position on rails 51, 52 is thereby eliminated.

In the event alley 10 is not suitably level upon assembly for the game of bowling, shims or wedges (not shown), or the like may be inserted at appropriate points between a base 48 of a block 46 and its corresponding side 21 of a stringer 20a, 2Gb engageable therewith. Since adjacent units 11 are joined and secured together, a shim may be inserted at any one or more of each of the four blocks which are associated together at a juncture formed by two contiguous units 11.

The actual assembly of alley 10 is expediently simple and may be completed in a minimum of time, whether blocks 46 have been implanted in the ground as a permanent foundation are initially set up in the development of assembly of alley 10. A unit 11, say, that unit 11 on which bowling pins 75 are to be placed at their proper position-s (FIG. l), is mounted on an opposed pair of supporting means 12 at its bowling pin end, with its stringer 2Gb located near its other end being in proper engagement or registry with another opposed pair of supporting means 12. An opposed pair of cinder blocks 46 are displaced in parallel relationship to the second opposed pair of supporting means 12 at a short interval therefrom. An aligning pin 40 is inserted in sleeve 31 mounted in stringer Zlib and engages rod 3S. A second unit 11 is Ibrought into a longitudinal position relative t-o the rst unit 11, whereby its sleeve 32 mounted on stringer 20a envelopes the exposed end of pin 40, there- Iby aligning the adjacent Iunits 11. The bolt-and-nut combinations 42 are inserted through their respective apertures in their Aassociated stringers 20b, 20a of the abutting units 11, and are tightened upon the Hush joinder of the kalley surfaces of the two units 11. The same procedure is used in the subsequent assembly of the remaining units 11. Each channel member 60 is thereafter anchored to its respective leg 46 of a supporting means 12. Rails 51, 52 may then be mounted on their respective V-shaped members 54, 55. Guardrail 65 is then attached to its supporting vertically arranged channel members It should be understood that the elements which constitute the embodiment of the invention may be of whatever suitable material or compositionI one may desire. For example, rails 51, 52 may be of plastic, wood, aluminum, or metal; and likewise for channel members 60, 68

and V-shaped members 54, 55. The durability and longevity of life that may be required of the composition of the materials that are used for each element of the assembly may be affected by climatic conditions and therefore, the invention should not be limited to -a selection of materials which are considered illustrative for purposes of this description.

Pursuant to the requirements of the patent statutes, the principle Aof this invention has been explained and exemplied in a manner so that it can be readily practiced by those skilled in the art to which it pertains, such exemplification including what is presently considered to represent the best embodiment of the invention. However, it should be clearly understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and exemplified herein, by `those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

Therefore, what is claimed as being patentably novel is:

1. In a portable bowling alley comprising a plurality of units assembled in longitudinal alignment to compose the alley, the novel features in combination, of a plurality of supporting means for each of suc-h units, and ball gutter means associated with said supporting means, each of said supporting means comprising yan L-shaped block having a base and a leg, the base of each block in upright position engaging a unit supported thereon, the leg of each supporting means extending transversely away from the alley, said ball gutter means mounted on the legs of supporting means disposed along one lateral boundary of the alley.

2. The novel features in combination, of claim 1 characterized by said ball gutter means comprising a pair of spaced rails mounted upon and above each leg and extending substantially the length of the alley whereby a bowling ball may proceed downwardly to the end of the alley.

3. In a portable bowling alley comprising a plurality of units assembled in longitudinal alignment to compose the alley, the novel features in combination, of a pulrality of supporting means for each of such units, and ball gutter means associated with said supporting means, each of said supporting means comprising an L-shaped block having a base and la leg, the Ibase of each block in upright position engaging a unit supported thereon, the

Ileg of each supporting means extending transversely away from the alley, said ball gutter means mounted on the legs of supporting means disposed -along one lateral boundary of the alley, and means associated with said ball gutter means by which displacement of a bowling ball from said gutter means is prevented.

4. The novel features in combination, of claim 3 characterized by said last recited means comprising a guardrail disposed above said ball gutter means and being spaced from the lateral edge of said alley to provide passage of a bowling ball along said gutter means.

5. An assembled portable bowling alley comprising (a) a plurality of units constituting the surface of the alley, each of said units comprising laminated strips of material attached together to form a bowling surface,

(b) a plurality of flanged stringers transversely engaging said strips and by which said strips of each unit are rigidly attached together, one of said stringers being positioned near each end `of a unit whereby the joinder of two units together provides for a channel space between the associated near-end stringers in the assembly of such units,

(c) aligning means mounted on such adjacent near-end stringers whereby such contiguous units are capable of being longitudinally aligned with respect to each other,

(d) securing means for such near-end stringers whereby the contiguous units are secured together ilush with each other to provide for a continuous and harmonious alley surface,

(e) a plurality of supporting means for each unit, each means comprising an L-shaped block having an upright base and a horizontally disposed leg extending transversely away from the alley, and

(f) ball gutter means mounted on and over a plurality of said legs along at least one lateral boundary of said alley, said gutter means comprising a pair of spaced parallel rails substantially extending the length of the alley, a channel member mounted on each of a plurality of `the horizontally disposed legs of said blocks, and a pair of spaced parallel V-shaped members straddling each said channel member, said rails being supported by said V-shaped members.

6. The alley of claim 5 including guide means for a bowling ball .rolling in said gutter means and comprising a guardrail disposed above said gutter means and being spaced from the lateral boundary of said alley to provide passage of a bowling ball along said gutter means, -a second channel member mounted on each said channel member, said 4guardrail being secured to said second channel members.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,529,295 3/ 1925 Blanchard 273-51 11,648,431 11/ 1927 Warmoth et al. 20-6 1,976,932 10/ 1934 Forsberg `273--51 2,037,259 4/ 1936 Murphy et al. 2,301,778 11/ 1942 Gremp et al. 273-5 1 3,014,722 12/ 1961 Green 273-51 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A PORTABLE BOWLING ALLEY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF UNITS ASSEMBLED IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT TO COMPOSE THE ALLEY, THE NOVEL FEATURES IN COMBINATION, OF A PLURALITY OF SUPPORTING MEANS FOR EACH OF SUCH UNITS, AND BALL GUTTER MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING AN L-SHAPED BLOCK HAVING A BASE AND A LEG, THE BASE OF EACH BLOCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION ENGAGING A UNIT SUPPORTED THEREON, THE 